Abstract:

Natural protected areas are a resource for, and in which, a wide range of
values is identified; market value, non-market value, and intrinsic value.
National park history, philosophy and legislation is interpreted to suggest that
preservation is, ideally, the primary land management goal for national parks,
and that this goal reflects a subset of the values identified for protected areas
as a whole. In actuality though, there are a number of non-preservationist
influences which may increasingly prevent preservationist objectives from
being met. These influences reflect a different subset of protected area
values. In order for preservation to be achieved, stricter legislation will be
necessary and in many cases it will not be applicable to existing national
parks. It will be necessary to identify the areas where preservation is still
achievable, and to protect those areas under the new legislation. The
preservation of land will then require clear understanding of the values
underlying preservation, and strong advocacy of those values in the face of
pervasive human modifying influences.[Show full abstract]